What "Lively" Beach Would You Go To For a Day Trip?
 

If you could go to a "fun" beach that is within a two-hour drive of The Villages, where would you go?
My cousin will be visiting in a few weeks and I'd like to take her to a beach for the day. I'm not familiar with any of the beaches in Florida -- I don't want a rural/quiet beach -- am looking for a beach that has a lot of fun options such as tourist shopping, music and restaurants. I searched the forums, but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for. I'd really appreciate suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Maybe check out Daytona Beach?

Clearwater!

Yeah, we went there once and it was very nice. If you look on Google maps, you will see a lot of places to eat.

Frenchy’s right in the beach. Grouper sandwich.

Siesta Key Sarasota.

In these trying times, the more "lively" a beach is, the more "deadly" it is also. I would try to find an isolated beach, or non at all. But maybe that's just me?

Recently spent two days at Clearwater Beach...before the recent virus upsurge...after working across the bridge from Clearwater Beach for most of my career. :) Can’t beat it imo for a “fun” beach.

But as others have said...enjoy with caution.

New Smyrna Beach.

Clearwater or anywhere on the Gulf. The ocean is aqua blue, you see through it as you drive your car up from the road. The sand is like sugar. The Atlantic is a poor imitation of a beach. Dark water, colder, and the sand is mostly broken shells crushed together, that's why you can drive your car on it. Anyone that has been to both coasts will say the Gulf Coast. Clearwater, Siesta Keys, Destin, these places have all been picked as the best in the USA.

Treasure Island is fun and funky.

Venice

No judgment, but do you really want to the beach right now?

Clearwater

Clearwater would be my suggestion. If you go, I also recommend you eat at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill Seafood restaurant at 7 Rockaway St. It's right on the beach. Get a patio/lanai table and you get a great view of the Gulf and people playing beach volleyball.